When it comes thus to picking your way round contactors for motors and pumps, it is essential to know your way round these vital components of motor control, and what is crucial in their selection. From being just small electrical relays, used to switch on or off other devices, contacted became, the switched and often remotely controlled switching of electrical currents to for instance contact your motor or pump as you demand.
What Are Contactors and Why Are They Important?
Of that, an electrical relay, does the same deal, but for heavy industry, and is designed specifically for that use. It’s giving you the opportunity for example to cut off, and switch the supply to it when you desire at a set or adjustable time and place, and for most motors, is part and parcel of the operation of an electrical unit.
Choosing the right Contactor is specially vital in controlling motors and pumps; the specifications do you know, is it correctly set up for the use you contemplate?
Key Factors in Choosing the Right Contactor for Motors and Pumps.
Current Rating
Right, this is probably the most vital of all; the rating of the contactor you want, should be matched to that of your larger operation, so take note of that. Too low and
2.Foreground color=”#CC0000″>Voltage Rating
Too high, of course. Secondly, you need to select a contactor that makes sense with the voltage being supplied to the motor or pump you wish to control.1.Check the specs on your equipment as well as the contactor and make sure they match up. Common Voltage Ratings 120V, 240V and 480V industrial motors,pumps etc. Higher voltage newer systems exist, but 120,240 and 480 is common to many systems.
2.Coil Voltage Coil voltage is the voltage needed to energize the coil, and operate the contactor. Check control circuit voltage being used and make sure coil volts match up. 24V, 120V, or 240V coil voltages are common.
3.Mechanical and Electrical durability Equipment is often run “hard” and the contactor must switch between states many times without failing. Durability is rated in the number of times a contactor can change state and still be effective. Select a contactor with high electrical and mechanical endurance for the purpose, to save on down time. Extending the lifetime of both the equipment the contactor controls and the contactor itself is also always a bonus.
4.Protection Features Industrial Equipment may be exposed to harsh conditions, select a contactor with adequate protection features. Contactor selection will often include overload protection, short-circuit protection, surge etc.Some contactors have built in thermal overload protection, is key to prevent motors and pumps from overheating or drawing too much current.
- Environmental Considerations The environment the contactor will operate in may have a drastic effect on optimum choice.If the contactor will be subjected to dust, moisture or corrosive substances check that it is rated for those conditions. For outdoor use weatherproof housings, or contactors rated for extreme cold, or heat as the case may require may be needed.
Manufacturers of Top Contactors for Motors and Pumps.
Many reputable manufacturers produce satisfactory contactors for controlling motors and pumps. Some top exemplars are: - Siemens 3RT Series. Siemens 3R series of contactors are an extremely rugged and versatile series for use in controlling motors. Small enough for domestic duty, and rated to control motors up to 75 kW. The 3RT series are provided with matching accessories such as thermal overload relays and auxiliary contacts etc.
- Schneider Electric LC1D Series. Schneider Electric offer a compact and robust relay contactor, and the 3RW series is in use in both industry and commerce. These long service providers, even in the most arduous conditions, are designed to control motors of up to 45kW in power, with a wide choice of protection and control features.
- ABB A Series. ABB A series of contactor is for heavy industrial applications. With a very high electrical durability, these reliable contactors will also provide excellent protection features, including thermal overloads and short circuiting. The sizes and ratings of the contactor are numerous giving a wide choice for all motor and pump control systems.
- GE Industrial Solutions Series. Another comprehensive range of contactors for controlling the industrial sector is provided by GE. Their industrial solutions series of device is flexible, extremely energy efficient, and easy to maintain. Handling very high currents and voltages, GE contactors will improve any large industrial plant.
Conclusion. Selecting the most suitable contactor for controlling access to motors and pumps is not too dauntingly complicated if a certain familiarity with how this key component of the circuit works is gained. The major points of a contactor to take in to consideration if to note is range of Volt and Amperage current, and ensure that the specification for protection and durability is correct, and of course the environment is taken into account. Manufacturers of such devices are Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB and GE.
